1. The following is full text of the editorial published by the Chinese state-run tabloid, Global Times, on 23 April 2017 under the headline "NK state media's broadside won’t impact China policy" at http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1043774.shtml

(Begin text)The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary on Friday criticizing China, although without naming it, for "dancing to the tune of" the US' North Korean policy. Some emotional statements in the article expressed Pyongyang's determination to go down the nuclear path. The most provocative sentence that attracted worldwide attention in the commentary is that "if the country keeps applying economic sanctions on the DPRK … it should get itself ready to face the catastrophic consequences in the relations with the DPRK."

This is the second time North Korean state media has criticized Beijing without mentioning names. On February 23, KCNA published a critique accusing China's "mean behavior" for "totally blocking foreign trade related to the improvement of people's living standard," which is "tantamount to the enemies' moves to bring down the social system in the DPRK."

KCNA's latest broadside followed the same pattern of its critique two months ago, which not only vented its dissatisfaction toward Beijing's action of imposing sanctions against Pyongyang by following the UN Security Council resolution, but also conveyed North Korea's will to keep going its own way on nuclear and missile tests. It attempted to pile pressure on China, trying to influence Beijing's future attitude toward Pyongyang's next nuclear activity.

However, such a move will not have any effect apart from further isolating Pyongyang itself. If North Korea conducts its sixth nuclear test, Beijing will undoubtedly support the UN in adopting tougher sanctions against it, including oil embargo, although its sanctions will not target the North Korean people or regime. As long as Pyongyang stops its nuclear program, the Sino-North Korean relationship can be restored to its normal status.

No matter how many articles KCNA publishes, whatever future measures North Korea takes, Beijing's stance will not be affected.

Perhaps Pyongyang needs to revise its understanding that North Korea is a sentinel and on guard duty for China, therefore, whatever it does, Beijing has no other alternative except to endorse Pyongyang. If North Korea really thinks this, it is making a mistake. Its nuclear program has severely impacted peace and stability in Northeast Asia, jeopardizing China's major national interests. Preventing Pyongyang from continuing to develop nuclear weapons has already become Beijing's priority in its Northeast Asian policies.

The fundamental problem in the North Korean nuclear crisis is the contradictions between North Korea and the US. China does not have the key to resolve it. Beijing has made its contributions by strictly following the resolutions of the UN Security Council. Washington and Seoul must also make joint efforts with China to let Pyongyang see that it can still safeguard its country and regime without nuclear weapons.

Although North Korea is subject to international sanctions, Pyongyang is not the only one to have caused tension on the Korean Peninsula. Washington should also reflect on its wrongdoing. US President Donald Trump always said that the White House's previous North Korean policy was a mistake, but what he is doing now is no different from his predecessor Barack Obama. Trump won't reach the right destination if he only changes a pair of shoes while continuing along the same old path. (End text)

2. North Korea is wrongly assumed to be a willing player for the role of sentinel on guard duty for China. On the contrary, it is too arrogant, rebellious and crafty for such a role. It has bigger ambitions far out of proportion to its size.

If you employ a sentinel on guard duty at your gate, make sure he is under your control. Don't let him do whatever he likes to the extent of climbing over your head or turning his gun on you.

Many years ago, I chanced upon a newspaper article saying that Kim Jong Il, the late father of the present North Korean leader, had a low opinion of Chinese leaders even when he was a student. Throughout these years, North Korea did not hide its disdain for China. Under the present leadership, in particular, it continues its nuclear and missile tests in open defiance against its protector and benefactor.

After the Japanese surrender, the US took full control of postwar Japan so much so that the Emperor became human and MacArthur became divine. In contrast, China made a serious mistake of letting the North Korean regime do whatever it liked after the Korean War, even closing its eyes to North Korea's nuclear ambitions. As the North Korean nuclear programme has reached an advanced stage, it is too late for China to rein in the regime.

Don't assume North Korea is using nuclear weapons to safeguard its sovereignty and ensure the survival of the regime. Don't assume the "dear leader" is so idiotic that he knows only how to fire his nuclear missiles eastward and southward. One fine day, he will fire them westward and northward. China must look squarely at the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear missiles. After North Korea subdues the South, other neighbours such as China and Japan will be the next targets. The range of North Korean nuclear missiles now covers most parts of China long before they can reach America. North Korea's medium-range ballistic missiles can hit Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai.

Twice this year, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published commentaries slamming China, although without naming it, for applying economic sanctions against North Korea. In a veiled threat to China, the KCNA said in its latest commentary: "If the country keeps applying economic sanctions on the DPRK … it should get itself ready to face the catastrophic consequences in the relations with the DPRK."

It seems that the rabid dog is ready to pounce on its master and bite the hand that feeds it.

Kim Jung Un-stable, and similar ilk. Its time for the world to evolve beyond mentality like that. The world has always been finite, but never really a factor in our affairs. Today, its becoming a factor. Hope we can factor it in correctly.